How to read a Tire

Your tire contains very useful information molded into the sidewall. It shows the name of the tire, its size, whether it is tubeless or tube type, the maximum load and maximum inflation, the important safety warning and much other information. I hope you find this handy information usefull.

P215/65R15 89H

Shown here is the sidewall of a popular "P-metric," speed-rated auto tire.

"P" stands for passenger,

"215" represents the width of the tire in millimeters;

"65" is the ratio of height to width;

"H" is the speed rating;

"R" means radial; and

"15" is the diameter of the wheel in inches. Some speed-rated tires carry a Service Description, instead of showing the speed symbol in the size designation. The Service Description, 89H in this example, consists of the load index (89) and speed symbol (H). The H in this case indicates the tire's maximum speed is 130 mph. See the chart below for other speed ratings: